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The company also announced that output for HP Indigo presses has received a Wilhelm Imaging Research (WIR) Display Permanence rating of approximately 45 years, the first of its kind for a digital press.(1)

The new press solutions are designed for photofinishers, professional photographers, yearbook publishers, print service providers and other graphic arts professionals.

“Digital has crossed the gap between traditional and digital photofinishing in terms of quality, productivity and consistency, and now digital printing surpasses silver halide for photo permanence,” said Christopher Morgan, senior vice president, Graphics Solutions Business, HP. “HP’s solutions are accelerating the shift to digital, creating new business opportunities for print service providers, publishers and photographers.”

Display permanence for HP Indigo prints New print permanence research from WIR – the industry’s most respected authority on digital print permanence – supports the value and image permanence of HP Indigo printing for photography applications.(1)

The study gives pages printed with HP Indigo presses on a Kromekote paper from Smart Papers a WIR Display Permanence Rating of approximately 45 years, which is longer than the best-rated silver-halide photo paper, Fuji Crystal Archive. The HP Indigo rating is also more than twice as long as the WIR Display Permanence Rating for prints on Kodak silver halide photo paper. The study also shows that HP Indigo photo book prints received a WIR Album/Dark Storage Rating of greater than 100 years.

“The permanence ratings from WIR provide an important validation for the use of HP Indigo in consumer and professional photographic markets as well as in the fine art world,” said Henry Wilhelm, co-founder, president and director of research at Wilhelm Imaging Research. “Good display permanence combined with excellent long-term stability, as well as freedom from yellowing for images that are in albums or are stored in other dark locations, are essential to preserving the value of historical photographs, art works and photo books.”

New HP Indigo digital press targets portrait studio marketExpected to be available in July, the HP Indigo WS6000p Digital Press brings HP’s high-quality liquid electrophotographic printing technology to the portrait studio market. Designed to replace silver-halide output solutions, the new roll-to-roll press includes inline lamination for professional portrait output at a low cost.

A higher-volume solution for a fast-growing market segmentThe launch of the new HP Indigo W7200 Digital Press for photo specialty applications raises the level of quality and productivity for an important market segment.

Designed to meet large photo-specialty firms’ production needs, the enhanced W7200 press prints 240 four-color letter-size pages per minute at volumes up to 7.5 million pages per month. It also includes new, linked color-management utilities on both of its print engines for more accurate, consistent photo prints. Optional finishing systems for the press allow inline cutting, offset stacking of book blocks and lamination.

New production software from HP partner M-photo provides comprehensive workflow management for professional photography labs using the HP Indigo W7200 and other HP Indigo press models. The software, which also works with silver-halide output devices, helps eliminate finishing time and reduces costs with tools to streamline lab management, color correction and image creation.

Self certification for HP Designjet printsARTtrust is a simple self-certification system that enables photographers and artists to provide individual identity to any HP Designjet Z series pigment print produced using HP Vivera Pigment inks on compatible media or paper.

A joint development between HP and Prooftag™, and endorsed by WIR, the ARTtrust solution is accessible from a new website (www.arttrustonline.com) that allows registered photographers and artists to activate an ARTtrust Tag, register newly certified prints, provide information and proof of authenticity, and promote their work. Tags and membership cards will be sold on the same website by ARTtrust Company, a subsidiary of Prooftag.

Companies that support and promote ARTtrust include Canson INFINITY, Hahnemühle FineArt, ILFORD Imaging and Innova Art. Early adopters of the ARTtrust system include world-famous photographers and artists who are members of the HP Experts & Mentors program, including Joel Meyerowitz, Thomas Hoepker, Martin Parr, Douglas Kirkland, and Digital Atelier artists Dorothy Krause, Bonny Lhotka and Karin Schminke.

“In this age of refined mechanical reproduction, the temptation to forge photographic works of art is easily satisfied,” said Meyerowitz. “We have been hoping and waiting for a foolproof method of security and maintaining the authenticity of our work. ARTtrust has appeared at precisely the right moment.”

About HP HP creates new possibilities for technology to have a meaningful impact on people, businesses, governments and society. The world’s largest technology company, HP brings together a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure to solve customer problems. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com/

Wilhelm Imaging Research, February 2010.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If such risks or uncertainties materialize or such assumptions prove incorrect, the results of HP and its consolidated subsidiaries could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning expected development, performance or market share relating to products and services; any statements regarding anticipated operational and financial results; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include macroeconomic and geopolitical trends and events; the execution and performance of contracts by HP and its customers, suppliers and partners; the achievement of expected operational and financial results; and other risks that are described in HP’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to HP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2009. HP assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.